Major Leader Hoyer Honors America’s Veterans

For Immediate Release:

November 9, 2007

Contact:Stacey Farnen Bernards(202) 225 - 3130

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) released the following statement in observance of Veterans Day, which is Sunday. On Sunday, Hoyer will attend the Veterans Day Parade in Leonardtown, MD:

“Each Veterans Day, the citizens of our great country pay tribute to the brave men and women who have honorably served in our armed forces and laid down their lives in defense of freedom. We are the beneficiaries of their courage, sacrifice and vigilance – and the debt owed to them is immeasurable.

“Veterans Day serves as a reminder of all that we owe America’s 24 million veterans. As we continue to be engaged in hostilities abroad, we also remember those who remain in service far from America’s shores – specifically those who are in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan, and elsewhere across the globe.

“In honoring all of America’s veterans, this Congress has made it a priority to fulfill the nation’s promises to those who have served. For example, we are on course to enact a veterans’ bill that provides the largest increase in veterans’ health care in our nation’s history. This historic investment follows a $5.2 billion health care increase for more than five million veterans, including funds to treat veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. This year we also passed the Wounded Warriors Assistance Act to address revelations of inadequate care for our wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and facilities nationwide.

“Furthermore, we are upholding our pledge to support our troops and their families in the bipartisan Defense bill that we hope will become law soon. The measure increases military pay by 3.5 percent and makes progress in ending the Military Families Tax on survivor benefits and the Disabled Veterans Tax on retirement benefits for combat-related military disabled retirees.

“In the first year of the 110th Congress, we have made great progress in providing a new direction in keeping our promises to our nation’s veterans. Our work, however, is far from done. We will and we must continue working to provide benefits for our veterans that are demonstrative of our gratitude for their sacrifices.

“On this Veterans Day, let us show appreciation to our brave veterans and soldiers who have answered the call of duty. Although we can never adequately repay them for their service and sacrifice, we can humbly salute them with all the honor that a grateful nation can bestow.”